Portret van Michel Le Tellier

About this artwork

Gift of the Ministerie van Onderwijs, Kunsten en Wetenschappen

Art Historical Context

"Portret van Michel Leier" is a finely detailed engraving by Friedrich Wilhelm Burmeister, in 1866. 265mm by 216mm, this intimate portrait captures the stern visage of Michel Le Tell, the influential 17th-century French statesman served as Secretary of State War under Louis XIV. Le Tellier played a pivotal role in modern the French military, laying groundwork for his son's expansions during the Sun King's reign. Burmeister, a skilled 19th-century engraver renders the subject with precise line work typical of the medium, evoking the gravitas of historical portraiture. Engraving, as seen here, was a vital technique for reproducing portraits of notable figures, allowing widespread dissemination in an era before photography dominated. Burmeister's meticulous incisions into a metal plate create rich contrasts and textures, highlighting Le Tellier's features with academic precision—a nod to the Renaissance tradition of engraved likenesses popularized by artists like Albrecht Dürer. This work was generously gifted to the collection by the Ministerie van Onderwijs, Kunsten en Wetenschappen (Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science), underscoring its cultural value in preserving European historical icons. Visitors will appreciate how it bridges 17th-century power with 19th-century artistry, offering a window into the enduring fascination with France's grand siècle.